Ever have those weekends where Sunday night you breathe a deep breath and say, yeah, we did that one right. That was this weekend for us.
Eh, well, most of us.
Despite the 70 degree temperature, it’s Christmas season and I love it. David and I each have a movie that screams CHRISTMAS to us. For him, it’s Christmas Vacation. For me, it’s Love Actually. Saturday was my turn.
With the Christmas tree lit and a bottle of red, we set up camp in the living room to watch my movie.
Do you FUNdo? It’s one of my favorites, though we rarely get the set out. It was perfect for a leisurely dinner while I recited lines from my favorite movie.
Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion’s starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it’s not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it’s always there – fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge – they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaking suspicion… love actually is all around.
What a fitting picture, right? We spent a morning at Davidson College with my friend, Lauren. She’s uber talented and after seeing her sneak peeks, I’m chomping at the bit to see all our pictures!
How I’ll choose only a few for a Christmas card, I have no clue.
And you know we can’t go to Davidson without eating at Toast. For those who have never been, here’s why-
Always fresh, always delicious, always quick.
Being properly fueled, we were prepared to party with the animals.
Our neighborhood Christmas party featured crafts, Santa and Zootastic (who has an incredible lights display going on right now, FYI)! The animals, which included a 6 week old tiger, a kangaroo, a fox, a ferret and a cockatoo were a huge hit with the kiddos.
The snake? Well, it wasn’t my favorite. Despite it’s kisses.
Maybe he smelled cookies on my breathe?
These butter pecan cookies were meant to go with coffee. Light, a bit crumbly, not too sweet. Perfection. After all, what is Christmas without cookies?
Our weekend concluded, as it started, with pizza.
I used my whole wheat pizza dough recipe and confirmed that it’s a keeper.
The weekend was wonderful. Though with pizza (x2) and cookies and lack of exercise, unless you count walking through the luminaries, I’m feeling ready to get moving today, but that’s a topic for another day.
Right now I’m still savoring the family time, the cookies and the Christmasy feeling of the weekend.
Do anything holiday-esque this weekend?
Shari says
What a beautiful weekend! And how adorable are those animals? Too cute!
Steph says
A baby tiger! Oh so cute!
Brittany says
It really was SO cute. Almost snuck it into the diaper bag… 😉
Lauren B. says
What a lovely weekend you had! We went to a couple of Christmas parties this weekend, but my favorite moment was sitting in front Of the fire as a family and watching Fred Claus.
Love the pic of Hailey sitting on Santa’s lap!
blackhuff says
This is an AWESOME weekend you three had!!!
Love all the photos – they tell us a great story regarding the past weekend you all had.
What is it with kids that is afraid of Santa?
Brittany says
Haha, I don’t know what it is about Santa. Every child under two cried their eyes out, and every kid older than that talked his ear off. Haha, it was so cute!
laura says
you are too cute, and i absolutely adore your writing style. it’s obvious how genuine you are, and how much you adore your family! you don’t write what people “want” to hear; you write what’s important to you. I love that…!! keep it up, brittany! love the blog!
Brittany says
Thank you so much Laura! Your comment just made my day!! 🙂
Nik Elder says
sounds like such a wonderful weekend! Hailey couldn’t get any cuter! oh my goodness I LOVE Davidson and Toast! Its such a cute little town!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
Such a fun weekend! And that first pic of H made me laugh – took me back in time!
Hanna says
Poor Hailey! She love him once she learns what he does 😉 We spent a lot of time outside this weekend enjoying the beautiful weather. We also finished decorating the house!
Sherry says
Loved the pictures and can’t wait to see the rest of them. What a fun weekend!
Stefanie says
You just reminded me of a favorite Christmas song with “Christmas in Dixie”. That last pic of Hailey is precious!
Kaitlyn @Keeping up with Kaitlyn says
Poor Hailey in the first picture 🙁
Sounds like a fantastic weekend! I’ve never seen Love Actually! I’ve only heard good things!
Brittany says
You MUST see it. It will make you laugh and cry. I’m a giant mushball throughout the entire movie 🙂
Maria says
Poor Hailey! I couldn’t help but smile at the photo though.
If anyone put a snake on me, I might threaten to kill them, after I come to 🙂
lindsay @ fuelmyfamily says
our santa pictures look just like that this year with my 16 month old! My older daughter was fine as an infant but the christmas when she was 15 months old she screamed too. Then she was fine the next year. I still have them sit there during the “i hate santa phase” jsut so i cna get the picture!
Tiff says
I love everything about this. The hubs and I love fondue and Love Actually… well, I love Love Actually, but he tolerates it pretty well. 🙂 And of course, what’s not to like about adorable babies and baby animals???
Chantal says
I love your photos! And lucky you, catching a crying baby on Santa’s lap photo. My baby decided to be all smiles 😉
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate says
Definitively sounds like a great weekend!
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate says
Definitely* LOL
Stupid iPhone…
Caleigh Rathmell says
We put up our Christmas Tree! My favorite holiday movie is also Love Actually 🙂
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Oh man, I am so terrified of snakes! Your reaction looks a bit what I’d expect mine to look like.
Cute family photos!
Jessie says
Sounds like a fun weekend filled with lots of family time, laughter & love. Can’t wait to see the rest of your pictures <3
jen says
the animal pictures are so cute. just saw lauren’s album on fb from the shoot and love! 🙂
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome says
You’re crazy for letting them put a snack on you! I got chills just seeing that picture! Eeek!
We had the same reaction with Santa this year! At least it will be fun to look back on 🙂
Paige Colson says
Love Actually is one of my favorite movies! I have it saved on my DVR for whenever I need a fix! Buon noight Jamie.